Flue-cleaner.



R. J. MONTGOMERY.

FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

Patented May 14,1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET l.

8.1. MONTGOMERY.

FLUE CLEANER.

APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

1 ,Q66, 1 @G. Patented May 14, 1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 2.

R. I. MONTGOMERY.

I FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

136,140 Patented May14,1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 3- Zait Malaya '5',

R. J. MONTGOMERY.

FLUE CLEANER.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 23. 1915.

Patented May 14,1918.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4.

i fi fii" W 1.?

ROBERT J. MONTGOMERY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ELITE-CLEANER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 14:, 1918.

Application filed February 23, 1915. Serial No. 10,063.

To aZZ whom it may concern: v

is it known that I, Bonner J. Mox'r- GUMERY, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook, State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Flue-Cleaners, ofwhicln the following is a specification, refi'arence being had to theaccompanylng drawings.

This invention relates to fine cleaners and is especially designed foruse for cleaning the fines of a tubular boiler, although it can be usedfor cleaning tubes under any other circumstances, as desired. Theinvention relates particularly to that type of flue cleaners involvingthe use of a rotary cutting device which is adapted to be projected intoor through a flue by the use of steam, yielding means being provided forreturning the cleaning tool after it has been projected through theflue. principal objects of my invention to prov de means in a device ofthis type for protecting from the moisture and the pressure of the steamthe housing and the apparatus located therein by which the flexiblemeans for returning the cutting tool is actuated. W

It another object of my invention to provide a stop device which may beautomatically brought into action for stopping the movement of the reeland the forward movement of the cable when the cutting device reachesthe end of its forward movement. such automatic stop being adapted tooperate without strain upon the reel. yielding cushioning means beingpreferably interposed. It is another object of my inven tion to providean improved form of indi cating device by which the operator is enabledto determine readily the position of the cutting tool in the tube beingcleaned. it is another object of my invention to provide improvedyielding means against which the cutting tool is brought to rest uponits return to normal position after a cleaning operation.

It is another object of my invention to provide an improved form ofcutting tool for use with devices of this type. It is another object ofmy invention to provide a new and improved form and arrangement of partsby which the device as a whole shall be very strong and compact. It isanother object of my invention to improve the It is one of the means foradjustably supporting the flue cleaner. It is another object of myinvention to improve flue cleaners in sundry details hereinafter pointedout.

The preferred means by which I have accomplished my objects areillustrated in the accompanying drawings and are hereinafterspecifically described. That which I believe to be new and desire tocover by this application is set forth in the accompanying claims.

In the drawings Figure l is a side view of my improved device, showing afragmentary portion of the tube of a tubular boiler, and showing incross-section the trolley-track by which the device is supported;

Fig. 2 is a central vertical section through the housing which containsthe mechanism at the rear of the device, being substantially a sectiontaken on line 2-2 of Fig. 7;

Fig. 3 is a view, partly in section. showing the inside face of oneofthe side walls of the housing, together with the mechanism mountedthereon, being taken substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a longitudinal central vertical section through the rear partof the device. being taken substantially on line l& of

Fi but showing the parts in changed position with the cable extended atfull length;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail, being a view taken substantially at linein Fig. 2;

Fig. 6 is a detailed view, showing the mounting of the spring bufferdevice which serves as a stop at the end of the forward movement of thecutting device, being a section taken substantially on line 6-6 of Fig.i;

Fig. 7 is a view of the housing with one of the side walls thereofremoved, being taken substantially on line 77 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8 is an enlarged detail, being a longitudinal central sectionalview of the for ward end of the device, with the cutting tool projectedout of normal position relative thereto;

Fig. 9 is an enlarged detail showing the means forcentering thecable-inolosing pipe in the steam-pipe, being substantially a sectiontaken on line 99 of Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail, being a perspective view of the bracketforming the of the cutting tool as the view being taken showing afragmentary view of a boiler tube with the cutter in operative positiontherein; and

Fig? is H top View of the bracket-1nen1- ber "by which one cndot thesupporting chain 'adjustahly held.

Referring to the several figures ot' the drawings lllWlltCllcorresponding parts are indicated by the same reference oharactcrs,-indicates a housing (see Fig. 1) extending forward from which is a steampipe 21 provided at its front end with a tapering engaging'meniberadaptedto be insertedinthe end of a tlue AS best shown in Figs. 4: and ffth-e steam pipe 21 has extendingthroughita smaller pipe 24; throughwhich a cable 25 is adapted to run, the pipe serving toprotect'the cablefrom the steam as hereinafter described. The cable '25 has revolublyconnected to its forward end'means adapted to'be rotated by steampassing torwardthrough thepipe QLsuch means comprising a cutting device26 to be hereinafter described. The rear end ot' the cable 2:5is-adapted to-be wound upon a reel 27 revolubly mounted in the housing90, such reel being rotated for permitting the iorwanl movement of thecutting device 26 against the action of a spring 28 which series at theend otthe'torward movement of the cutting deviceto rewind the cable uponthe reel for retracting the rotary cutting device. in indicating de vice29 is provided for indinting the positionof the cuttingdevicerelative'to the end of the stcanipipe 21, and a steam valve 30'isprovided-for shutting oii the steam as desired when the rotary cuttingdevice reaches the end of its stroke as shown by the indicating device'29. The device as'a whole'is adapted to be supported by a iieXiblechain or cable 31. secured to the device as a whole atstwo points andrunning over a pulley suspended from a trolley operating upon atraclt 3extending transversely of the boiler at the. 'endt-hereot at whichaccess is had for cleaning the "tines.

The housing '20 comprises a drum-like portion 535 closed at one side bya head 36 formed integral therewith and closed at its other side by head3'7 adapted to be secured in position thereon by means of screws or inany other suitable manner.

The. housing also comprises a bracket 38 steam pipe thereto. As, is bestshown in Figs. 7 and 10, the bracket 38 comprises also atriangularcorner plate 38 by which is materially reinforced. its best shown inFigs. 10 and 11. the drum-member the side-closure plate 86 and thebracket 38 are so formed as to fit snugly together for forming a tighthousing. As is best shown in Fig. l. the rear end of the pipe isinserted'in the for wanlemlotthc tubular portion being held therein bymeans of screw-threads, forming thus atight jointbetween them. A.Y-counection it) is connected by means of screw-threads upontheit'orward end of the-tubular portion. 39, in the forward end of whichconnection the rear end of the steam pipe 21 is secured by means of vthreads. A steam pipe ll is also connec by means or screw-threads to the"Y -coin nection l0. leading therefrom in diagonal direction and beingsecured by chnnping blocks i2%3 to the drum-portion oi: the housing. Ihesteam valve is connected to the. lower end of the steam pipe -1, a pipeetbeing provided-for nnecting the valve 30 with any suitable source oflire steam. By reason of the triangular notion aitorded by thediagonallydisposedpipe t1. the vertically-disposedfront portion of thedrum '35, and the'horiZontally-disposed*tubular portion 39, the partsare verystrongly reinforced so as to be insured againsz breakage underanynorinal conditions of use.

The ineanstor supporting the device and for handling it in use comprisehandle of wood or other suitable poor condnctor'ot heat secured betweentwo brackets l6-7 which are-preferably secured by means at screws totherear portion-0t the drum Anothersimilar handle e8 is secured upon theconstruction the steam pipe :21 by means of brackets 4:9-4y0 comprisingsplit-sleevesattheir lower ends adapted to be tightened upon said pipe.The forward end of the flexible connection snwliieh in the constructionshown is in the 1 01111 01 :1 chain. connected to the pipe 21hr means ofa split-sleeve 51 adapted to be tightened about the pipe. The rein-endof the chain 31 is .cablysecured by means of a* block 52 secured uponthe drum 35. its best shown in Fig. 15, the block 52 revolnbly supportsarollcr underwhich the chain 31 adapted to run, from which roller thechain extends rearwardly into position be tween two lugs its will bereadily understood. the lugs serve to holdthe chainagainstlongitudinalmovement under the roller At the same time the rear end of thechaininaybe readily lifted out of position between the said lugs.whereupon the chain can be adjusted as desired to van lit) Cir

neceneo the length of thesupporting.portionithereof as desired whereuponthe chain can-again be quicl'rlyand easil; brought =into operativeengagementwitlrsaid lugs. In the construction shown thehan'clle is madehollow whereby the rearend of the chain is adapted to-extend=through thehandle so as to be kept out of theway.

As is'best shown inFi-gs. 8 and 9, the forward end ofthe pipe Qtiscentered in the steam pipe-21 by means of screws 56 extendingradially/through the pipe 21 into contact with thepipe 2st. Asisbestshown in Fig. 6, the tapering engaging member 22 is secured upon theforward end'of the steam pipe 21 by means of-screw threads whereby it isadjustable slightly longitudinally of the pipe. A conical spring 57 issecured by means of screws 58 within the engaging member 22 andextending forward'frorn the front end of the steam pipe -2l, as is bestshown in said Fig. 8.

The rotary cuttingdevice 26 is-secured tothe forward end o'f thecable25in the construction shown through the medium of a rod '59 to which theforward end of the able is aflixed in any suitablemanner (see Fig. ll).The rod 59 is'provided with a head 60 which is adapted to be broughtinto contact with the forward' end of the conical spring 57 forcushioning the rearward movement of the cutter 26 and the cable 25, thuscushioning also the corresponding movement of thereel-Q'I. As is clearlyshown in said Fig. 1%, the rotary cutting device is revolubly mountedupon the forward end ofthe rod 59. being secured thereon by means ofnuts 61, or in any'other suitable manner.

As is shown clearly in Figs. 12'and 13, the rotary cutter 26 comprises ahub portion 62 by which it is revolubly mounted upon the rod 59. Fixedlysecured upon'the hub 62 i a plate 63 cut and twisted into the form of afan or propeller. pon each of the blades 6i thus formed by the plate'63,upon the rear edge thereof in the direction .of'rotation of the cutter,thereisfixe'd a cutting device '65, one edge of whichis turned to extendforwardythus providinga plurality of cutting edges adapted to engage thesoot or other matter deposited-upon the inner surface of the flue-asis'shown in Fig-14. As is clearly shown in Figs. 12 and 13, the frontedge of each of the blades 64: overlaps the-rear edge of the adjacentcntting'device 65, by reason of which the steam projected against therotary cutter is rendered -more"efi'ective for producing rotation ofthe-said rotary cutter. As isbest shownin Fig. 2, the reel 27 ismountedin the housing 26 by-means of a shaft 66 which is suitablyjournale'din the side walls 36"and 37, the reel 27 being revolublymounted upon said shaft by means of a hub 67 formedintegrally-therewith. As is clearly shown in sziidFigpQ the inner end &

of the spring 2S .lS 'ifixedly attached to the shaft 66, the outerend ofsaid spring being secured in any suitable manner to the inner peripheryof:the drum-portion 'ofthe reel 27, as:is shown in :Fig. l. Upon theouter end of the shaft 66 adjacent to theside member fixed aratchetwheel 68 which is held against rotation relative tothe shaft, in'thcconstruction shownsaid ratchet wheel h avi an angular bearing upon saidshaft. A dog 69 is pivotally mounted upoirthe plate 36 adja centtotheratchet wheel 68 and adapted to be turned into-operative engagementtherewith, as is shown in Fig 5. l l ith the dog 69 in engagementwiththe ratchet wheel 68 so asto hold the shaft 66 against rotation inclockwise direction in Fig. 5, whereby the ma id: shaft is held againstrotation in counterclockwise direction in Fig. l, the spring 28 servesto resist rotation of thereel 27 in counterclockwise direction in Fig.'l. The shaft 66 is shown in Figs. 1 :and 2:projecting beyond the plate37 of the housing, being square in cross-section for the engagement of asuitable turning tool by which the shaft 66- is adapted to be rotatedrelative to the t-eel 27 for-tightening or loosening the tension of thespring-Q8 as desired.

The cable is designed to be of such a length as to correspond to thelength of fines which are to be cleaned, the entire length of cablebeing-designed to be run out from the reel upon each actuation of thecleaning dc vice 26. The means for attaching the rear end of thecable-25 tothe reel and for yieldingly stopping the forward movement oftheicablc and "therotary'movcment of the reel at the end of-the forwardmovement of the rotary cutting device comprises an arm 70 pivotallymounted upon the reel 27 and adapted to move between its extendedposition as shown in Fig. i and itsretracted po sition as shown in'Fig.'7. As is clearly shown in Fig. l, the connection of the rear end of thecable 25 to the arm 70 is such that when the cable extends forwarddirectly from the arm in its extended position as shown in- Fig. l, thefree portionof the cable is directly in alinement with that por tion ofthe cable embraced by the arm 70, whereby the likelihood ofiundue wearupon the cable at the point of its connection to the arm is reduced to aminimum. In the constructionshown the arm 70 is mounted ina slot throughthe drum-portion of the i reel 27, being pivotally mounted by'means of apin 71 supported by the web of the reel 27 andb a suitable bracket 72mounted uponsaid web. As will be readily understood from an inspectionof Fig. 4, when the reel 27 is rotated in clockwise direction from theposition shown in saidfigure the arm' TO is adapted to move inward so asto be almost wholly retracted from its extended posit-iomthe upper edgeof the-arm 70 being curved to conform approximately to the curvature ofthe drum-portion of the reel 27.

As will be readily understood, when the reel 27 is rotating; incounterclockwise direction in Fig. l in the process of unwinding thefinal coil of cable 25 from the reel, as the reel 27 approaches theposition shown in lli l the arm will be extended by the pull of thecable thereon into the position shown in said figure. Shortly before thearm 70 reaches the position shown in said iig. l the said arm is broughtinto contact with the head of a butler 73 which is mounted in a recess7% at one side of they tubular portion 2-39 or the bracket-3S, a spring75 being mounted in said recess to yieldingly resist the forwardmovement of the buffer therein. The butter '73 is held against turningin the recess Ti and against withdrawal therefrom by means of a key 76suitably secured upon the bracket 38 with its inner end engaging asuitable groove 77 in the said butler.

lhe indicator 29 is mounted upon the outer end of a pin 78 journaled inthe plate having mounted upon its inner end a gear 79, .neshing withwhich is a pinion 80 which mounted upon a pin 81 journaled at one end inthe plate 37 and at the other end in a suitable bracket 82 secured tosaid plate 37. Fixed upon the pin 81 is another gear 83 which mesheswith a gear S-l lined upon the hub 67 or the reel 27. lhe indicatingdevice 2 9 is thus geared down relative to the reel 27 whereby in thecan s'truction shown the said device 2-9 is adapted to be 'iven onecomplete rotation. for each rota n of the reel 27 for unwinding suchlength of cable to enable the cut-- ting device 26 to clean atwenty-tour foot flue. A graduated plate 85 is fixed upon in theconstruction shown, aoapted to cooperate with the arrow upon theindicator for showing the extent by which the cutting device 26 has beenprojected forward.

In the operation of the device, when the cutting device '26 approachesthe end of its operative stroke as is indicated to the attendant by theposition of the indicator 29, the attendant through the use of a brakingdevice can slow down the rotation of the reel so as to be able to closethe valve 80 at the proper interval. This braking device comprises alever 86 pivotally mounted upon the inner face of the plate 37, theturned end 8'? of which lever is adapted to be brought into engagementwith the inner periphery of the drum-portion of the reel 27. The lever86 is normally held out of operative position by a spring 88 attached tothe lever 86 and to the plate 37. A stop 89 is mounted upon the plate 37adjacent to the lever 86 adapted to hold the lever 86 the plate 37,

against the action of the spring 88 in approximately an operativeposition.

iv the use of my improved construction involving the pipe 2% surroundingthe cable 25 at the point where the steam enters the rear end of thesteam pipe 21, the steam is prevented from entering the housing 26, theresistance which the steam encounters in its forward movement by reasonof being brought into contact with the rotary cutter being insuilicientto cause reversal of direction of the flow of the steam such as would benecessary to cause the steam to low rearwardly through the pipe 24.

/Viile l have shown the pipe as extending the full length of the pipe21, l do not wish to restrict mysel; to that particle lar constructionexcept as hereinafter specifically claimed inasmuch as it is believedthat a length of pipe :r-l about the cable at the rear end of th devicesuch as to direct toe team forward along the pipe 21. would unu rcertain conditions or use be sutlicient for preventing the flow of thesteam buckward within the pipe 2 without ex ending such pipe Zlto theforward end of the pipe 21. Moreover I do not wish to restrict myself atall to having the flexible connector extend through the steam-pipeexcept as hereinafter specifically claimed, the essential feature beingthat the flexible connector be brought to proper pot ion relative to thecleaning device 26 which is in position to be iged to advantage by thesteam, the o. t being such that the steam has ll ll lllll riot-er flowpast the point where the hesmle connector and the steam are brought 0move along parallel or coincident niths whereby the steam is caused toconinue its forward flow without danger of changing direction to flowbackward along the advancing cable. V

ll'hile l have described my improved device in both the specificationand claims as being operable by steam and as being op crated by a supplyof steam from any suitable source and desire tohave the device operatedby steam for the use with which it is primarily designed, it will beunderstood that i do not wish to restrict myself to the use of steam,but that the word steam used in the specification and claims is eunt toinclude and too ver the use of any other appropriate fluid underpressure, and my claims are to be construed accordingly.

ll hat 1 claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is:

l. in a line cleaner, the combination oi a pipe, a smaller pipeextending through said first-named pipe, means for feeding fluid. underpressure to the rear end portion of said firstsnamed pipe about saidsecondnamed pipe, means for closing the rear end of said first-namedpipe about said smaller pipe in rear of the point of admission of saidfluid under pressure, a flexible connector extending loosely throughsaid smaller pipe and closed off thereby from the fluid under pressurein said first-named pipe except at the open front end portion of saidsmaller pipe, and a cleaning device connected to the forward end portionof said flexible connector and adapted to be projected along a flue bythe force of the fluid under pressure delivered through said firstnamedpipe to the flue in rear of the cleaning device.

2. In a flue cleaner, the combination of a pipe, a tapering dischargenozzle of greater diameter than that of said pipe secured on the forwardend of said pipe, a smaller pipe extending through said flrst-named pipeand into said nozzle, closure means for closing the rear end of saidfirst-named pipe about said smaller pipe, means for feeding fluid underpressure to the rear end portion of said first-named pipe in front ofsaid closure means, such fluid under pressure being free to move forwardwithin said firstnamed pipe about said smaller pipe, a flexibleconnector 'extending loosely through said smaller pipe and closed offthereby from the fluid under ,pressure in said firstnamed pipe except atthe open front end of said smaller pipe, said flexible connector beingadapted to move freely through said smaller pipe, and a cleaning deviceconnected to the forward end portion of said flexible connector andadapted to be projected along a flue by the force of fluid underpressure delivered through said firstnamed pipe to the flue in rear ofsaid cleaning device.

3. In a flue cleaner, the combination of a pipe, a smaller pipeextending through said first-named pipe, a housing communicating withthe rear end portion of said secondnamed pipe, said housing beingcompletely closed except for its communication with said pipe, means forfeeding fluid under pressure to the rear end portion of said first-namedpipe about said second-named pipe, means for closing the rear end ofsaid first-named pipe about said second-named pipe in rear of the pointof admission of said fluid under pressure, a flexible connectorextending loosely through said second pipe and closed off thereby fromthe fluid under pressure in said first-named pipe except at the openforward end portion of said smaller pipe, means located within saidhousing for drawing said flexible connector backward through saidsecond-named pipe, and a cleaning device connected to the forward endportion of said flexible connector and adapted to be projected along aflue by the force of the fluid under pressure delivered through saidfirst-named pipe to the flue in rear of said cleaning device.

at. In a flue cleaner, the combination of a cleaning device adapted tobe projected along a flue by the force of fluid delivered to the flue inrear of said cleaning device, a flexible connector connected to saidcleaning device and adapted to be projected into said flue with saidcleaning device, a head operatively connected with said cleaning device,means for delivering fluid to a flue to be cleaned, and a conical springcarried by said fluid-delivery means against which said head is adaptedto be brought for stopping the rearward movement of the flexible conanector upon its withdrawal from the fluid.

5. In a flue-cleaner, the combination of a pipe, an engaging memberfixed on the forward end of said pipe, a conical spring secured in saidmember, a rod having a head adapted to be brought into engagement withthe forward end of said spring, a cleaning device revolubly mounted onthe forward end of said rod, said cleaning device being adapted to beprojected along a flue by the force of fluid delivered to said pipe inrear of the cleaning device, a flexible connector connected to said rodand adapted to be projected into said flue with said cleaning device,and means for retracting said flexible connector.

ROBERT J. MONTGOMERY. Witnesses:

WILLIAM A. FURNNER, W. H. DE BURK.

\Bopies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, byaddressing the Commissioner of latents, Washington, D. G.

